SPM Billiards Magazine Issue 33

Why Is Pool Practice Boring? HowTo Make It fun? Part 2

By Dominic Esposito, a.k.a., The Drill Instructor

Last month’s lesson was an eye-opener for many and a yawner for others. Most pool players agree that Pool + Practice = Boredom. And you wonder why you don’t play much better now than you did five years ago? It’s because you don’t really practice correctly. When you consider that a beginner under proper instruction and coaching will be a highly skilled even pro-level player within 3 to 5 years, you could kick yourself for not taking the idea of practice a little more seriously.

This month’s featured drill is an extension of last month’s drills and provides even tougher challenges that can result in your making a lot more clutch shots with cue ball shape during competition.

Did you start working on last month’s drill, Walking the Line? You should have noticed your skills improving overall from Walking the Line. If you kept score as I taught you, it should have made practice feel more fun. Keeping score is the only way you will see yourself progressing toward increasing your skills. I gave you a time-tested method of training that turns the boredom into fun. I can’t do the work for you. But I can show you the path that leads to true skill building and playing success.

It boils down to whether or not you want to play your best pool or not? I have the rudiments that will push you past the plateaus that seem to hold you back. You have to want to do it!

Nothing increases your personal playing skills like solid practice with keeping score for the drills you do. Developing focused concentration, isolating problem errors, and great shot making with excellent technique and execution are the results you should expect when you do the work. I know I can increase your skill level and improve you winning stats through my professional drills training.

This month’s fun drill is called, Walking the Line, Part 2.

This drill perfects your shot making skills for balls that are in the center of the table.

The Drill can be adjusted for Beginner to Advanced Level Players. We’ll start with Level 1 1. Start with ball-in-hand and from either end of the table as shown--your choice. 2. Shoot any STRIPED ball in any of the six pockets on the table in any order. 3. After the STRIPED balls pocket the SOLID balls in any order. 4. Pocket the 8 Ball last. 5. Avoid hitting any of the other balls on each shot. If you miss a shot or hit another ball, reset the line, and start over. Level 2 is for Advanced Players. 1. Start with ball-in-hand from either end of the table. 2. From the first STRIPED ball pocketed, continue pocketing the STRIPED balls (in any pocket)

in their successive order as they are lined up the table. 3. After the STRIPED balls are finished, pocket the SOLID balls in order down the table. 4. Pocket the 8 Ball last. 5. Avoid running into any of the other balls on each shot. If you miss a shot or hit another ball, reset the entire line and start again.

During your next playing session, you’ll notice many shots will resemble these shots from last and this month’s drills. You’ll shoot with confidence and should expect better success because you worked on these drills.

Did you like this drill lesson? Visit my website, www.thedrillinstructor.us and join me on DI-TV. All my Pro Skill Drills table layouts and videos are there plus so much more. On the website, you can inquire about private lessons or attending a Boot Camp Pool School with The Drill Instructor.

As promised, learning The Drill Instructor Way will make practice more fun, but only if you keep score while you practice.

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